Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-08
CITY AND DISTRICT.
Capt. SymOns' Instructions TO the IS alter
inspectors.
TO SAVE THE WATER.

Capt. Svrnons has prepared a new set OF instruc-
lions TO inspectors OF the water department.
These instructions have been made with the view
TO reducing the waste Oh water In the city, and
consequently the cost OF the water service. The
following paragraphs from the instructions are
Interesting 10 the water consumers as wen as 10
the inspectors:
Examine into the location OF pipes as far as
practicable to see that they are SO located as 10
be free from danger OF freezing. Pipes faulty
located IN this respect should b. reported. Every
house should b. provided with a turmoil and
drain-cOck the inside OF the house, 10y means OF
which the supply from the street can be shut OF
and the pipes drained Try and find these cocks
and explain 10 the occupants (tO the man OF the
house II pO-ipie) how 10 turn on The water IN case
OF burstef pipe or other accident, or 10 turn off
and drain the pipes on cod nights 10 prevent
their freezing and bursting Consumers would 90
well to that this turn-On cock or valve Is
always accessible, IN working order, and that
employees end servants are made familiar wit its
location and Prompt action with It in case Of
accident will often prevent much damage 20 walls
and furniture. To draw on the water and drain
the pipes IL Will generally be advisable 10 open
SptrOJ on one OF the upper nOOrs u permit the
entrance OF air. III the water cannot thus be
stopped OF and drawn from the whole house IL
Oftentimes can De from the upper hoors Dy the
stop cock located Just above the kitchen sink.
Every hot water boiler Is or should De provided
with sediment cock by means OF which the ac
cumulated scale and sediment can be flushed out.
IL this II not done occasionally the dow OF not
water NAV be materially tnterfered with and the
hot water apparatus he more liable TO injury.
Show the occupants how 10 Use the sediment cock,
and instruct them that il should be opened at
least once d month for from five 10 ten inmates.
As this sediment cock Is ordinarily the lowest
fixture in the house, communicating directly with
the sewer 1t must not De iett open else tht water
VIII not rise 10 the upper HoOTS Many complaints
OF liability TO get water arise from this cause.
Therefore look well 10 this sediment cock in case
OF any complaint or deficiency OF pressure.
Try all the fixtures In the house, and IN case any
are found leaky or defective explain to the OCcu-
pants where the fault Is and leave notice TO re-
Ta{r rbs pD4s. flor all AL
has expired, make a second examination 10 STE
that the Necessary repairs have been made. I'm
press upon The occupants the necessity OF tight
fixtures, small leak viii waste great amount
of water and in the present condition OF the water
supply some one viii be deprived OF water on ac-
count OF their waste.
In case OF fixtures willfuIly left open aud run
ming, get the fun name OF the occupant and make
a complete report TO the office of all the Circum-
stances, giving the location Of the premises, ma
ture and location Of fixture, &C, in order that
warrant may be procured and the parties ar
steps taken may be necessary. IN many cases
the water IS lett running continuously from the
mistaken idea that by 80 doing the sewer and
water pipes are kept in better condition. This is
prevailing idea but a very erroneous one. A
continuous little flow viii Go no earthly good; ten
gallons OF water going through the pipes with
rush Will flush them out and do more good than
million gallons slowly tTtckItng through. Neither
Will this trucking, diibbling water keep down
sewer gas, as so many people suppose. This is an
other prevalent error which causes great waste.
Where you md these ideas combat jne,n. reason
sheir error.
II the water fixtures are properly located in
ouSe with all modern improvements there VIII
be no freezing or bursting pipes. Tie pipes should
pass In or along one or the Interior or party walls
of the house and preferably in the Vicinity OF
heating nue No pipes, sinks, spiSoJs, &c. should
De on In exposed locations away NOM the general
warmth OF the house or GA the outside of the
house. III the house Is not kept warm at night or
the pipes and fixtures are located is to be ia
danger OF freezing on cold night, the water
should be shut of and the pipes drained. This is
the only sure way OF preventing their freezing.
Letting the water run to waste through the
pipes Is not by any means a sure preventive OF
their IreeZing, IS highly improper and selfish, de-
pr1v1ng, as IL does, many people or the water
needed Tor domestic purposes, and Is absolutely
prohibited under all circumstances. Wherever ft
port will De made TO the office In order that the
parties may be punished and the water may be
entirely shut OF from the premises.
Explain that no harm can be done TO the range
by drawing OF the water, as the water back is OF
iron like the rest Of IT, bus emphasize the adyisa-
bility OF turning the water before starting the
fire In the morning, disastrous consequences
might result from turning cold water into a hot
and empty waterbdck.
The cost OF supplying the city with water IS
fully double what il would be II no waste occurred
Impress this on the water takers and endeavor TO
lnStt into their IuldS the deSrabt!tL OF prevent
Ing waste as far il possible, and request them to
report TO the Office any case OF waste coming under
their observation or which they believe to exist.
All such e4SeS reported viii receive careful invest
OF the premises inspected the deSirabIlty OF hav-
Ing good plumbing, and that their health and
lives depend ON it, Ii you md any case IN which
the sanitary arrangements seem dangerous to the
health or the occupants, report It in ORDER that
the attention OF the health department may be
called TO it,